PHOTOS: Americarna in NEW ZEALAND.....What an EXPERIENCE!!!

Cool stuff! Thanks for sharing!

 

What am I doing here?

 

Awesome post Kirk! That's not the NZ I remember though, my memory is rain for 6 days of every week.
They kicked my ass out cause I don't drink.
I am amazed by the number of Americans who take their country for granted, or worse yet put it down.
The hospitality I have always received from americans has been on par with what you received in NZ, same for my family and friends who have travelled this way. Glad you enjoyed it down there, it's a special place for sure.
I believe it is the most hard core hot rod nation on the Earth. Get this....the total population is only 4 million. There are over 100 hot rod clubs, 3 magazines on the subject including one that has been going for 40 years, 4 dragstrips, a huge aftermarket industry including localy produced chassis's and 'glass bodies. Rod runs and racing all summer long. That's alot of action for only 4 million people. I don't think you can match that anywhere, and I don't know what gas costs but I think it's close to $8 a gallon

 

Well said Kev. We have just spent a year living in L.A. & most people we met there were friendly & helpful. I guess every country has its problems but as tourists you don't see them.
In saying that N.Z. is still a great country to live.
Missed meeting Kirk at Americana & never caught up with you when we were in LA, will make a point of meeting you at the Scroungers Blowout.

 

Great pics man.couldn't make Americarna this year,bloody work, but have accomodation booked for next year.

 

So while in our 8th state did you pop over to visit the mainland here in Oz??

 

Great pics and write up, can't wait for the Goodguys article. I missed this years Americarna but won't miss the next one..

 

Great coverage of a great event. Pleased u enjoyed our wonderful Country and the 'world famous in New Zealand' hospitality that the Naki prides itself on.
Next time come South & visit the Mainland its another treasure!

 

Excellent Pics, thanks for posting.

 

Unfortunately no. I need to next time.

 

Does the heart good to see people from another country
saluting and not burning our flag.

Great cars... pretty girls... lovely country...
does it get any better?

 

You americans are classic man great people , It sounds so weird reading your praises for americanas american spirit when you guys are americans and we are new zealanders

 

OK

1. Kirk Thank you this is a Great Post. especially on a s***y stormy day here in NY
2. What Camera rig do you have?
3. You KIWI's know how to have fun. Very nice.

So my Dad was Down under and other South Pacific areas during the War. He would never say much but did talk about the Country and People about how nice they were. So it has always made want to go there........ Someday.
But I just wanted to add about how nice it was of your Country to celebrate Kar Kulture with an American Twist. We get bombarded by our Tabloid News hourly about how we Suck and everything about our Country is Bad.
I cant even watch the news anymore cause they can even twist some story about how even a Boy Scout helping an old Lady across the street was really just trying cop a feel.
Seeing those pics of you guys just having Fun without any political agenda was really just great to see. Thank you Thank you.
I think it can be said for most Countries that people all feel and care the same. But politicians dont always represent there constituents well.
I have been in every State of my Country and there are Nice People and Mean People all over.
Sorry off the Soap box.
I am going to get to NZ someday soon and this Americarna thing looks like it has to be on the list.
Can one of you guys from Oz and NZ maybe post a Schedule on the Hamb for Drag and Car events?!
We need to hold a New Zealand'er HAMB day here in the States..

Again Thanks NZ
LZ

 

Great photos, Thanks.

 

incredible........ Now that looks like good fun.

Kirk, you must have hated coming home after being treated like a rock star

 

Great Photos and people,looks like a trip of a lifetime.

 

I agree ,I wish it was more like that here.

 

i sooo want to move there. only eight more years and my sons off to college. maybe ill do it then

 

There are several places to keep track of most events on the NZ calender.
Try here for example.

http://www.nz-hotrod.com/events.htm

and this is another awesome event coming up.

http://www.beachhop.co.nz

cheers from NZ

.

 

It was a blast. Yeah, I came home and I was just plain old KIRK! again.

 

WOW!!!!!!!!this is a wonderful thread! our buddy [cruisin] sent me a nz hotrodders shirt and some other kool stuff from NZ a couple months ago! its on my top for vacation!!!!
thanks much for the thread kirk!

 

I am going with Kiwi Kev the NZ in 2 weeks I cannot wait

just got back from march meet and had a blast talking to all the great kiwi guys up there!!

Aaron von minden

 

Thank you, Kiwi Kev. Ya nailed it!
Took my family (wife & two little boys) down in Aug.'85. Only 2 rainy days out of the 14 we were there. We went "just because". Did a lot of research before we went - we were doubly impressed!
Time warp! Everyday life had a back-to-the-fifties feel to it (music, homes, older cars, less commercialism, pace of life)
They seem to enjoy us N.A.s trying to pronounce their
place names - look on a map and give it a try in the presence of a Kiwi.
Expressions:
judder bars = speed bumps
round abouts = traffic circles
metal road = gravel road
panel beater = autobody mechanic
give way = yield

The traffic noise is very different, mostly 4 cylinder buzz, unlike our mixtures of 4's, 6's and V-8's. The sun orientation is in the north, not like the south in N.A.. If you aren't paying attention, you find yourself turning east instead of turning west! It is easy to do.

From my observations, NZ's are some of the world's best innovators and fabricators. It has to do with an "island" mindset. They import a mega amount more hard stuff than we could even imagine - shipping costs alone can up the cost of a product by 2 or 3 times. And so they get creative, and they develop talent.
Scenery? Unbelievable! Especially along the Buller River on the northern part of the South Island. BTW Derek Thomason in Richmond casts aluminum quick change units for Model 'A' and early V-8 rear axle housings. Another Kiwi is doing aluminum multi-carb intakes for 330 Desoto Hemi's (see HAMB thread a couple days ago).
Big difference I noticed: the absence of arrogance. Ya gotta like that.

 

That was the best part. Again, Kiwis are amazing people.

 

Karen and I were with Kirk for Americarna and it's an unbelivable experience that all street rodders should do at least once. We drove our yellow 35 in 3 hours of rain which really got them talking and then we drove the Ridler in the parade while it rained. The only problem I have with the Kiwis is they're to damn nice making it really tough to say no. What a problem to have. We left Americarna and went to another show on the south island and again great people and a great time. Give yourself plenty time to enjoy everything they have and you'll have a trip that you'll never forget.

 

Containers went on the ship from Long Beach to the North Island. Repacked and placed on a ship to the South Island for another show and are now on the way back to Long Beach.

 

Hey Kevin!

I got Karen's email today and was replying when I left. I'll send it tomorrow.

It was certainly the trip of a lifetime and I made a lot of new friends. Two of them are Americans. I'll send you guys a DVD with a bunch of photos.

I still really happy you drove the Ridler car in the rain!

See you guys in Columbus!

 

i really need to go to NZ

 

Hey Kirk,
Glad you enjoyed NZ so much. Didn't get a chance to come over and say G'day - you were too busy shooting pics all the time!
Kev you're right it's not the NZ you remember! That was my first kiwi car event in 10 years - I was blown away by the number and quality of cars, and how involved the public got!
As a Kiwi living in the States it's nice to hear so many kind words about New Zealand and it's people. For those of you thinking about going you won't be disappointed! Can I book a spot on that boat?
CraigR

 

Noooooooooooooooooooo, Kirk - you be spillin beans! What happened to the 'what goes on tour stays on tour' disclaimer you signed at the border??

Hmmm - guess it would be rude to keep it all to ourselves

Yeah NZ hospitality is good, but I recommend the Kiwi FNGs get their butts up to HAMB drags - then you will really experience hospitality.